In recent texts, we have addressed various aspects of misogyny. Of course, our picture is incomplete. Nevertheless, it was important for us to give an impression of how pervasive and present misogyny is. Misogyny is inherent in our culture and we all learn and internalize it from an early age. Under these circumstances, it is almost impossible not to be misogynistic.
Misogyny is ancient, but it is constantly changing in its specific manifestations and narratives. Misogyny does not arise 'naturally' and specifically serves certain functions: for reproductive control, for maintaining and legitimizing the dominance of the masculine, for quelling resistance or for the gendered division of labour in capitalism. Many of these narratives about the 'nature of the feminine' exist almost unchanged to this day.
Under these social conditions, it is almost impossible for those who identify with femininity to adopt a clear, contradiction-free relationship to femininity.
Of course, cisgender, heterosexual men in the patriarchy also have a relationship to femininity. However, this is usually characterized by demarcation, contempt, hatred and devaluation. Misogyny is not merely a problem of certain 'bad' or 'toxic' men, since 'critical men' also internalize misogyny. In the following texts, we want to shed light on how cisgender, heterosexual masculinity and misogyny are connected in order to understand the links between masculinity, sexual/sexualized violence and perpetration. After all, violence against women and queers, femicide and rape are omnipresent and in the vast majority of cases are perpetrated by cis men.
Of course, cisgender, heterosexual men in the patriarchy also have a relationship to femininity. However, this is usually characterized by demarcation, contempt, hatred and devaluation. Misogyny is not merely a problem of certain 'bad' or 'toxic' men, since 'critical men' also internalize misogyny. In the following texts, we want to shed light on how cisgender, heterosexual masculinity and misogyny are connected in order to understand the links between masculinity, sexual/sexualized violence and perpetration. After all, violence against women and queers, femicide and rape are omnipresent and in the vast majority of cases are perpetrated by cis men. Stay tuned!
To bridge the time until the next lyrics, we have put together an empowering 'Kill Misogyny' playlist for you. Support your FLINTA* Artist! :-)
Recommendations
We have also listed a few sources here that deal with misogyny from different perspectives, which were empowering and/or informative for us. For a joint feminist practice, it is especially important for those who are not affected by misogyny to deal with the experiences and realities of life of those who experience this shit every day.
📝Text
📚Books
- ‘Wut und Böse’ by Ciani-Sophia Hoeder (German)
- ‘Female Choice’ von Meike Stoverock
- 'A short History of Transmisogyny' by Jules-Gill Peterson (on the recommendation of dear friends)
- 'Support your sisters not your cisters' by FaulenzA (very easy to understand and approachable book about transmisogyny, only in German)
- 'The Book of the City of Ladies' by Christine de Pisan (a fiction against misogyny from 1405 - again on the recommendation of friends)
- 'Pleasure Activism' by adrienne maree brown (A collection of texts on pleasure and enjoyment and their reclaiming as forms of political activism from various intersectional perspectives)
🎬 Film
- 'Legally Blonde' (Exposes misogyny in a funny in-your-face way. Beware, there are certain queerphobic scenes and the portrayal of characters of color follows racist stereotypes in many parts).
🎙Podcast
- ‘Feminismus für alle. Der lila Podcast – Macht das Patriarchat uns psychisch krank?’ mit Beatrice Frasl – Autorin von ‘patriarchale Belastungsstörung’ (German, about the connection between patriarchy, capitalism, poverty and mental health)
🖼 Instagram
- ‘Little Feminist Blog’ (for funny, sarcastic memes in German)
🎦 Videos:
- ‘El violador eres tú’ (A performance originally performed in Chile by 10,000 FLINTA* on sexual violence and femicide. Here is the English translation of the text)
- ‘The Adorkable Misogyny of The Big Bang Theory’ (Video essay in which the misogyny of the main nerd characters in The Big Bang Theory is analyzed and criticized.)